Colonization and persistence of Escherichia coli in axenic and monoxenic turkeys.

Sites of colonization and persistence of virulent (O78) and avirulent (O2) Escherichia coli were determined in 3-week-old axenic turkeys. Colonization of O78 in turkeys infected with Streptococcus faecalis was also determined. Colonization and persistence of E coli in the intestinal tract and lung were not correlated with virulence. Both serotypes persisted in high titer in crop, ileum, ceca, colon, and lung. Persistence of E coli in the liver was positively correlated with virulence, although both serotypes were recovered from the liver in the absence of bacteremia, indicating possible intestinal translocation of E coli to the liver. A reduction in intestinal colonization and translocation of O78 was determined in monoxenic turkeys infected with S faecalis. In contrast, S faecalis had no effect on lung titers of O78. Air sacculitis, pericarditis, and pneumonia were observed in axenic and monoxenic turkeys infected with O78. Bacteremia was detected in a turkey exposed to O78.